The Culture of Pleasure; Or, the Enjoyment of Life in Its Social and Religious Aspects (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1873. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ISO DIVINE PRAISE. Jesus, calling him up from a post as mean as Mordecai's, shall crown his brows before an assembled world, saying, 'Thus shall it be done to the man whom the King delighteth to honour.'" * Then shall true reputation have its culminating triumph, and the Christian's name echo through an applauding universe. * Dr Guthrie. SWEETS OF SOLITUDE. 181 CHAPTER XIII FRIENDSHIP AND PLEASUEK Man is by nature a gregarious animal. Zimmerman might write tbe praises of solitude, but required a companion to whom he could whisper that solitude was sweet. Robinson Crusoe on his solitary island might, like Alexander Selkirk, boast himself monarch of all he surveyed, but was mightily cheered when he got the company of his man Friday. Cowper, who sighed for a lodge in some vast wilderness, would have been glad, had he obtained it, to have exchanged it for the cheerful tea-table of Mrs Unwin; and Charles Lamb, though he painted so humorously the inconveniences of having too much company, spoke the real feelings of his heart when he said, that the social bustle and glitter of the Strand filled his eyes with tears of pleasure. It is in connection with this law of gregariousness that one of the sweetest and purest enjoyments of life, friendship, is experienced. Man is a being who, as we have seen in a preceding chapter, not only enjoys praise, but requires, in order to complete his happiness, to love and be loved. "Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, And men below, and saints above; For love is heaven, and heaven is love." Friendship gratifies this affection, by uniting us to those who possess congenial qualities. Selfish men have doubted the existence of true friendship. "It is but a name," Bonaparte is recorded to have said. "For my part," he added, "I know 182...